Where is the best place to plant hydrangea? Planting hydrangea in spring and caring for it in open ground

Hydrangea is a beautiful garden flower with fluffy colorful caps. They are represented by several types: shrubs up to 3 m high, small trees and vines that can entwine a tree up to 30 m in height. Hydrangea will bloom from spring to frost, delighting with its spherical inflorescences. However, there are species for which this time is shorter. - everything about her is in the article!

Rules for planting hydrangeas

You can plant hydrangea in early spring or autumn. In this case, the first option will be preferable. For hydrangea, you need to choose the right planting location. She prefers acidic soil with good moisture. As for illumination, these flowers can feel comfortable both in the sun and in partial shade.

The entire planting process can be divided into several stages:

After planting a hydrangea bush, it is better to cover it from sunlight for a few days. This will allow the plant to take root faster. Hydrangea can be planted either singly or in groups. In this case, the distance between the bushes should be about 1 meter.

Basic rules for caring for hydrangea

Caring for hydrangea comes down primarily to proper watering, timely feeding, pruning and loosening. If you do everything correctly, the bushes will be lush and the inflorescences will be large and bright.

Watering

Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant that requires frequent watering. It should be plentiful, 15 - 20 liters for each adult bush. In hot weather, this should be done once a week. In hot and dry summers, you can increase it to twice a week. In this case, you need to focus on the condition of the soil, taking into account how quickly it absorbs moisture and dries out.

For irrigation, it is best to use settled soft water at room temperature. From time to time you need to add a little potassium permanganate to it, which will prevent the appearance of rot. Hydrangea should be watered in the morning or evening, when it is not too hot.

Top dressing

For good development And lush flowering Hydrangea needs to be fed. Both organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable for this. Their use is especially important during periods of intensive growth. You can purchase ready-made fertilizers that are rich in magnesium and iron. Good composition fertilizing in the form of a solution of bird droppings with water in a ratio of 1:10 in combination with mineral composition from 20 g, 10 g of saltpeter and 10 g. You can use any slurry as a fertilizer, just be careful, otherwise the buds will be too large, which can cause fragile branches to break.

Hydrangea needs to be fertilized not only during planting, but periodically as it grows. The first such feeding should be carried out at the end of May. After two weeks it should be repeated. You can fertilize flowers throughout the summer, but in August it is advisable to stop fertilizing so that the shoots can become lignified by winter.

Mulching

Thanks to mulching the tree trunk circle, the hydrangea roots will be protected from overheating and the rapid growth of weeds. You must first make an organic mulch consisting of wood chips or . It should be scattered in an even layer around the bush. This will help make the soil more acidic, which is what hydrangeas need. This mulch will gradually become part of the soil.

It is best to apply mulch under bushes in late spring, when the soil is well warmed up. It is also possible to mulch in late autumn, when the negative temperatures. Periodically, shrubs need to be loosened so that the soil is more permeable to moisture.

Trimming

Pruning is done on plants that have reached the age of 3–4 years. This should be done in early spring - before sap flow and buds begin to bloom. If the procedure is carried out too early, the cut cuttings will be unsuitable for further rooting, and if it is too late, the plant may die. This is why it is important to prune when the buds just begin to swell.

When pruning adult plants, cut off 3/4 of the height of each shoot with pruning shears. In this case, there should be 2–3 pairs of buds left on them. Old bushes can be renewed at the root. Everything will depend on the condition of the bush or tree. You also need to cut off old or frozen shoots. During pruning, you can form a beautiful small tree with a certain shape. In the first year of hydrangea growth, its flowers should be removed, because... this will promote more abundant flowering next year.

Preparing hydrangea for winter

Hydrangea belongs to heat-loving plants, so it needs to be protected winter time of the year. Young shoots and insufficiently winter-hardy varieties need special protection. If the bush is very young, you can simply cover it on top with earth, fallen leaves or sawdust. Older plants must be bent to the ground and covered with roofing material or lutrasil. To prevent the wind from blowing it away, you need to press down the covering material with bricks.

Mature bushes require more careful shelter. You have to try not to break them. The bush should be tied and then covered with spunbond or lutrasil, after which a frame can be built around it from metal mesh or other available materials. It should be at a distance of about 20-25 cm from the bush. The free space must be filled with dry leaves. Such an insulated frame will protect the hydrangea well even in severe frosts. You can remove it in the spring, when there is a stable above-zero temperature.

Hydrangea propagation

Hydrangea is propagated in several ways:

Popular types of hydrangea

Before planting hydrangea, you need to decide on the choice of the appropriate species. Each of them has its own growing characteristics, which must be taken into account when planting and caring for. The most popular among gardeners are: large-leaved hydrangea, paniculata hydrangea, petiolate hydrangea, tree hydrangea.

Large leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Will delight with flowering in July-August. This hydrangea has bright, dense foliage. The current year's shoots look grassy, ​​which is why the plant has low cold resistance. The flowers have an umbrella shape. They may have different colors depending on the variety, the intensity of which depends on the acidity of the soil. The more acidic it is, the brighter the hydrangea will be. The height of the bush reaches up to 2 m.

Hydrangea paniculata

It blooms from mid-summer until the onset of cold weather. Inflorescences of this type have a pyramidal shape. They can reach a length of up to 30 cm. Paniculata hydrangea grows as a shrub, which can reach a height of 5 m, or as a small tree up to 10 m. This species is considered more frost-resistant and unpretentious.

Hydrangea petiolaris

It is a shrubby vine. It will require additional support, to which it will be attached with air suction cups. It grows up to 25 m in length. This suitable look for planting near arches and arbors. The inflorescences have a corymbose shape and are up to 25 cm in size.

Tree hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

It grows up to 3 meters in height. The flowers are predominantly white or cream in color. There are several varieties of this species, differing in different colors. In winter, the plant may freeze, so it must be carefully wrapped. In April, the bushes need to be heavily pruned. The flowers grow in large fluffy inflorescences.

Ground cover hydrangea (Hydrangea heteromalla)

It is also called Bretschneider hydrangea. This species is considered frost-resistant and unpretentious. The bush reaches 2 - 3 m in height. The inflorescences here are corymbose. First they have White color, and at the end of flowering they turn pink. This hydrangea blooms in mid-summer.

Recommendations for planting and caring for hydrangea in the garden - video

Hydrangea - beautiful flowering shrub, it is often used for landscaping lawns, parks and gardens. It is distinguished by large inflorescences that bloom in the second half of summer, decorating the area until late autumn. There are up to 35 plant species in total, one of the most popular is tree hydrangea. It grows quickly, and within a season it can turn from a small seedling into a luxurious shrub. Planting and caring for hydrangeas is not much different from maintaining others. garden flowers, so even a beginner will not have any difficulties growing.

How to plant hydrangea correctly?

Most often, the plant is purchased as a seedling. You can grow it yourself from seeds, but this process is long and will take at least 3 years. It is best to buy seedlings of this age for planting.

When to plant hydrangea and how to choose a suitable place?

The gardener should immediately decide in which part of the garden the shrub will grow, since hydrangea does not like transplants. It is worth giving preference to well-lit flower beds or lawns located along the house on the east or west side. However, if such a place is not found, then the shrub will grow well in partial shade.

Many gardeners wonder when to plant hydrangeas, in spring or autumn? The seedling can be planted both in spring (in early May) and in autumn (in September). It is believed that flowers planted in the spring take root faster and get sick less often, but if the seedling is strong and healthy, with a strong root system, then it will take root well in the fall. Autumn planting will harden the bush, making it more resilient.

Soil composition requirements

Hydrangea is not picky about the composition of the soil, but it will grow better in an acidic environment (pH value 4.5–5), so lime or ash should not be added to the hole during planting. If the soil in the garden where hydrangea will be grown is not acidic enough, you can add coniferous land, sawdust, brown peat and dig up.

Planting tree hydrangea

On the site it is necessary to prepare holes measuring 50x50x60 cm, where 60 cm is the depth. The bushes grow quickly, so when planting several specimens, it is necessary to maintain a distance of at least one meter. In addition, this will make it easier to care for the tree hydrangea later on. For better rooting, professionals recommend preparing a fertile soil mixture and filling the planting hole with it.

Components:

• leaf soil– 2 parts,
• fresh humus - 2 parts,
• fibrous peat substrate - 1 part,
• medium-grained sand – 1 part.

The seedlings are placed in the hole so that the root collar is level with top layer land. It is better to plant in cloudy weather, but if the day is sunny, it is recommended to shade the plant.

Features of caring for tree hydrangea

When growing a shrub such as hydrangea, planting and care are not difficult. Everything a gardener needs to know: how to properly water and feed a plant, trim branches and cover it for the winter.

Watering hydrangea

The shrub prefers moist soil, as evidenced by even its name - translated from Greek, hydrangea (Hydrangea) means “vessel of water.” It is recommended to water the plant once a week, pouring out about 15–17 liters of water. If the summer turns out to be rainy, then watering is reduced, focusing on the condition of the soil.

Fertilizer application

If a nutrient mixture was added to the hole during planting of the seedling, then for the first year or two the hydrangea will additional feeding does not need. However, do not forget that tree hydrangea prefers regular care, and when grown in poor soil, its inflorescences will become small and not so lush.

The first feeding should be organized in early spring, as soon as it gets warmer outside. Cooking mineral fertilizer in the following way:

• urea – 10 g,
• superphosphate – 15 g,
• potassium sulfate – 15 g.

Microelements must be dissolved in 10–15 liters clean water. As soon as the first buds appear, you need to carry out a second mineral fertilizing, based on 10–15 liters of water:

• superphosphate – 30 g,
• potassium sulfate – 20 g.

Before the end of summer, two more feedings should be carried out, but organic fertilizer. An infusion of mullein in a ratio of 1:10 is best suited.

Loosening and mulching the soil

To prevent moisture from evaporating longer, gardeners recommend mulching the soil at the base of the bush. You can use peat or sawdust Having laid out a layer of 5–6 cm, the procedure is carried out in the spring and the mulch is left until autumn. Caring for tree hydrangea must necessarily include weeding and loosening the soil, as a rule, 2-3 times per season is sufficient.

Pruning hydrangea

During the first 2 years after planting a seedling, all inflorescences must be removed from the shrub. At this stage, it is important to grow a strong and healthy plant without allowing it to bloom. In adult specimens, dried inflorescences are removed in the fall, before wintering.

It is best to prune hydrangeas in March. It is necessary to select 8–10 of the strongest branches and shorten them after 3–5 buds. Weak and dried branches can be pruned throughout the summer season. Old bushes are rejuvenated with heavy pruning. Using pruning shears, it is necessary to cut off all the branches, leaving only stumps no more than 6–8 cm high. Soon, young shoots will grow from the hydrangea.

Preparing for winter

Tree hydrangea is resistant to frost, so there is no need to cover it. However, it is recommended to cover young specimens with mulch to prevent the roots from freezing. Dry leaves or peat are used as covering material, spreading them in a layer of 12–15 cm. If the winter is expected to be harsh, then adult specimens can also be covered.

Diseases and pests of tree hydrangea

Hydrangea gets sick quite rarely, but sometimes you can notice a whitish powdery coating on the leaves or stems - powdery mildew. To save the bush it is necessary to spray it with solutions of foundation or Bordeaux mixture, according to instructions.

Hydrangea is often affected by aphids - these are grayish or light green insects that can be seen both on the leaves and on the branches of the bush. Aphids feed on plant sap and mainly attack young, tender shoots and buds. Can be used to control insects chemicals(Aktellik, Fitoverm, Inta-vir) or use folk remedies.

Garlic infusion has proven itself well; it is prepared as follows: chop 200 grams of peeled young cloves or squeeze through a special press, then pour in 10 liters of clean water. On the third day, filter the infusion and add 40 grams of laundry soap or a few drops of liquid. Spraying with this infusion should be carried out weekly until the last aphids disappear. However, it is worth remembering that garlic infusion has a pungent odor; this should be taken into account when choosing a treatment method.

As you can see, planting and caring for hydrangeas is not difficult, and soon the gardener will be able to admire the bright flowers on his site. Hydrangea flowers can be used to make a wonderful winter bouquet. To do this, you need to cut the branch when all the flowers in the inflorescence have bloomed, and then dry them in a dark room, hanging them from the ceiling or beam with their heads down.

Video on how to plant tree hydrangea

Do you want to decorate your garden with unusual shrubs? Try to plant a hydrangea flower, planting and caring for it in open ground is simple; even novice gardeners can reproduce and grow hydrangeas. Can be chosen fantastically beautiful flower, having read the description of the variety and taking into account its combination with other plants in landscape design. In the photo, hydrangea looks like the queen of the garden.

Varieties and varieties of hydrangea

Hydrangea is an undoubted favorite among flowers in summer cottages. The long flowering period, the variety of shapes and tones attract Special attention to it from gardeners and designers, increasingly various varieties This perennial is used in landscape design.

Blue hydrangea

Hydrangeas can be spherical, racemose, and in color - white, lilac, red, two-color. The most common tree hydrangea in our latitudes. An unpretentious plant, quite easy to care for and grow, recommended for beginning gardeners. Breeders have developed several varieties of shrubs:

• "Bella Anna" - new variety tree hydrangea, has fairly large spherical inflorescences, the crown grows in diameter up to three meters, the color of the petals is from pale pink to crimson pink, blooms throughout the summer season and September;

Variety "Bella Anna"

• "Annabelle"- a wildly flowering spreading shrub about 1.5 m high, ball-shaped inflorescences of snow-white color, blooms in early July and retains color throughout the summer season until September. After flowering ends, the leaves of the plant remain bright green throughout the fall. The “Anabelle” variety is adapted for wintering, does not require special shelter for the winter, and is frost-resistant;

"Annabelle"

• "Grandiflora"- distinguished by large crystal-white inflorescences, blooms for 4 months;

"Grandiflora"

• "Invincible Spirit"- a new variety of hydrangea with pink petals;

"Invisible Spirit"

• "Sterilis"- a variety with hemispherical, dense, heavy inflorescences; during the flowering period - from July to October - the petals radically change color: from pale green to crystal white.

"Sterilis"

Also quite a common variety of perennial is Paniculata hydrangea, planting and caring for which is quite simple. This flower is attractive for its unusual paniculate-shaped inflorescences, is frost-resistant, and is characterized by rapid recovery even in unfavorable climatic conditions. Interesting feature This variety of hydrangea has a particularly long flowering period, during which the inflorescence changes color. Does not need mulching for the winter. The most common varieties of paniculate hydrangea:

• "Vanilla Fraze"- a variety with soft white-pink petals;

"Vanilla Fries"

• "Limelight"- the plant blooms in autumn, distinguished by large inflorescences of a pale lemon shade;

"Limelight"

• "Pinky Winky"- hydrangea with pale red petals.

"Pinky Winky"

How to plant correctly

Even novice gardeners can grow hydrangeas in open ground. If you choose hydrangea for your flower garden, planting and caring for it will never be a burden and will become your favorite pastime. To plant a shrub, you should choose the right location. Hydrangea does not tolerate long shading, the best place for planting it - sunny side. Hydrangea is propagated by individual bushes or cuttings. It is recommended to plant a flower in spring (in May) or autumn (in warm September).

Even a novice gardener can plant hydrangeas.

To plant a hydrangea bush in open ground, you need to dig a planting hole about 60 cm deep, about half a meter wide and long. The distance between bushes is at least 1.5 meters. Flower growing with proper care, will take a lot large area than when landing. The pits should be filled with a special mixture, including peat, sand, soil, humus (1:1:2:2) and fertilizers (specialists landscape design It is recommended to combine 20 g of urea, potassium sulfide, add about 60 g of superphosphate in granules and 10 kg of humus).

Attention: do not bring in soil mixture for hydrangea, lime is destructive for this plant.

When planting, it should be taken into account that the root collar of the plant should be at ground level. After planting the hydrangea in open ground, it needs to be watered abundantly.

Suitable care

Caring for hydrangea consists of weeding and loosening the soil around it, organizing a timely and correct watering regime. In addition, to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the bush at the beginning of summer with peat or sawdust.

Fading flowers must be cut off so that they do not draw strength from the plant.

Perennial needs correct pruning. The plant should be pruned in the spring before the growing season begins, removing old shoots and leaving young and strong shoots, shortening them by 3-5 buds. Faded and dried inflorescences of the bush must be removed. Old perennial bushes must be cut almost to the root, leaving only low stumps from which young shoots will develop.

Feeding and fertilizing hydrangea

Hydrangea planted in prepared and fertilized soil need not be fertilized or fed for the first two years.
Then the procedure for feeding hydrangea is as follows:

• in the spring it is necessary to apply a complex fertilizer containing micro- and macroelements (phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen) to each bush;
• for the second time during the season, fertilizing (potassium sulfate along with superphosphate) is applied during the period when buds appear on the bush;
• It is advisable to feed the perennial a couple more times with diluted chicken droppings or cow manure.

Hydrangea responds very well to feeding

Attention: excessive amounts of nitrogen applied as fertilizer can lead to greening of hydrangea petals and problems with wintering the plant.

It should also be taken into account that hydrangea responds well to lactic acid, so when growing it, it is important to periodically water the bush with soaked sour bread, whey, sour milk, and kefir.

Hydrangea propagation

Like other perennial shrubs, hydrangea can be propagated vegetative way(cuttings, dividing the bush, layering) and seeds.

To grow shrubs from cuttings, it is necessary in mid-July to cut the tops of young non-woody shoots and root them in specially prepared soil consisting of coarse sand and peat. Experts recommend taking measures to increase the soil moisture under the cuttings. To do this, sphagnum moss is added to it. Cuttings are planted in such soil at a slightly angle, at a small (up to 5 cm) distance and provide them temperature regime within 16-20°C. 4-5 weeks are enough for rooting. After this, the hydrangea is planted on permanent place cultivation and provide proper care.

Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings

When propagating hydrangea by dividing the bush, part of it is separated, it is important that there are 2-3 buds on the young shoots, they are dug up and transplanted to a new place.

To propagate hydrangea by layering, you need to bend one of the young shoots of the growing bush to the ground and bury it in a previously dug hole (up to 15-20 cm deep). To prevent the shoot from straightening, it can be secured with staples. To speed up the rooting process, experienced gardeners recommend making an incision on the part of the shoot that will be in the ground. It is necessary to water the branch regularly, and it can also be mulched. After the branch has formed its own root system, it is separated from mother bush and planted in a new place.

Propagation of hydrangea by layering

Diseases and pests

As a rule, hydrangea is quite resistant to various kinds pests and diseases. However, it can also become infected with chlorosis, downy mildew, spider mite, green leaf aphids may appear on it.

Chlorosis is expressed in a sharp lightening of the leaves of the plant, loss of their natural color. The reason for its development is the excess content of lime or humus in the soil. To eliminate chlorosis, it is enough to water the plant with solutions of potassium nitrate and copper sulfate one at a time at intervals of three days.

Hydrangea disease - chlorosis

The cause of hydrangea disease downy mildew is excess humidity air. For treatment, it is recommended to treat the leaf surface with a solution of copper sulfate with the addition of soap.

An infusion of garlic will help drive aphids away from the plant. It is necessary to prepare a garlic infusion (200 g of chopped garlic per bucket of water, let it brew for 2 days), add laundry soap (40 g) and irrigate the perennial with this infusion every 5-7 days until the aphids are destroyed.

Hydrangea: combination with other plants

In a flower bed or garden, hydrangea is quite impressive both on its own and in combination with other flowers. For example, paniculata hydrangea looks great next to clumps of purple-leaved barberries and viburnum-leaved bladderwort. The beauty of tree hydrangea is emphasized by daylilies, clipped barberry, and low-growing juniper.

Hydrangea in flowerbed design

Hydrangea is a fantastically beautiful flower that inspires the creation of beautiful compositions in landscape design. Taking into account climatic conditions, in our latitudes it is recommended to plant tree, paniculate and petiolate hydrangea. Hydrangea looks magical in photos in large compositions when it grows in squares, surprising everyone with the size and beauty of its inflorescences. To emphasize the beauty of hydrangea, you can surround it with borders of spirea, cotoneaster, and other shrubs. Hydrangea should be planted in the flower garden in the background so that it does not obscure other plants.

Hydrangea in landscape design

It is not recommended to combine hydrangea with yellow, red, orange flowers. Plants with bluish flowers, needles or leaves can successfully shade a shrub - for example, clematis, cereals, hostas, low-growing junipers.
A classic of landscape design is the combination of hydrangea with pink phlox and round shape inflorescences, thujas, microbiota. Hydrangea is also used in mixborders to create compositions along garden paths, can be grown as a hedge.

Hydrangea - the basis beautiful garden. With proper care, she will delight you long years. Experiment with different varieties this shrub, try decorating your gazebo with climbing hydrangea, planting a tree-like one along the paths, or creating a living fence using paniculata.

Caring for garden hydrangea: video

Garden hydrangea: photo

Hydrangea is certainly one of the most beautiful flowering bushes, which can only be found on personal plots. If you can’t imagine your garden in the spring without this breathtaking beauty, then it is quite natural that you want to learn as much as possible about how to choose the right seedling, how to plant it, how to care for the shrub after planting it in open ground in order to wait for enviable growth and spectacular flowering. Read about all this further!

Types of hydrangea

The main types of hydrangea that can be successfully grown in our regions are:

Video: varieties of tree hydrangea

Video: types and varieties of hydrangeas

Planting hydrangea in spring

There are several main ways to propagate hydrangea: cuttings, dividing the bush and layering. You can also grow a shrub from seeds, but this is too time-consuming and difficult.

Optimal timing

In spring, hydrangea is planted in open ground, usually in colder (northern) regions of the country: in Middle lane(Moscow region), as well as in the Urals and Siberia. But in the fall - in the southern regions (for example, in the Krasnodar Territory, Kuban). This is because the seedlings must have time to take root in order to survive the winter. It is noteworthy that shrub seedlings with a developed root system can be quite successfully planted in open ground in the fall, regardless of climatic features region.

The optimal time for planting hydrangeas in spring is April, although this can also be done in May.

According to the lunar calendar in 2019

This can help you choose the optimal date for planting seedlings. Moon calendar.

So favorable days for spring planting hydrangeas in 2019 according to the Lunar calendar are:

• in March - 12-17, 19, 20, 27-30;
• in April - 6-8, 11-13, 15-17, 24-26, 29, 30;
• in May - 6-8, 10-17, 21-23, 26-28, 31;
• in June - 1, 2, 5, 6, 9-13, 16-20, 27-30.

Unfavorable days according to the lunar calendar for 2019 The dates for planting hydrangeas in spring are:

• in March - 6, 7, 21;
• in April - 5, 19;
• in May - 5, 19;
• in June - 3, 4, 17.

According to lunar calendar from the magazine “1000 tips for a summer resident.”

Place in the garden

Finding a site for growing hydrangeas is not so easy. It is optimal to find a place where the sun will delight the flower in the morning or evening, and most for a while the bush rested in light shade.

Hydrangea loves well-moistened soil. This is the flower that drinks a lot of water and always drinks.

When choosing a specific place on your summer cottage, you should take into account that you need to plant shrubs near garden paths at some distance (preferably about a meter from them), otherwise the spreading branches of the bush will abundant flowering They will block your path and you will have to tie them up.

Planting pit and soil

The dimensions of the planting hole depend on the size of the seedling itself and the need to apply additional components to create the most suitable soil composition. Therefore, if you need to additionally add sand, humus and other fertilizers to the hole, then it should be made larger. For example, for 1-2 year old young hydrangea seedlings it will be enough to dig a planting hole measuring 30 by 30 cm, but for large and mature 4-5 year olds - 50 by 50 cm.

Hydrangea will grow well only in soil whose acidity ranges between 5-6 pH. To make the soil more acidic, you will need to add high-moor peat (also called brown peat) or rotted sawdust into the hole. coniferous trees. In heavy and clay soil you can add the following soil mixture: leaf soil, excellent humus, good river sand and acidic high peat in a ratio of 2:2:1:1.

Important! Cannot be added to nutritional formula dolomite flour, lime and wood ash, because - these are soil deoxidizers, but we, on the contrary, need to make the soil more acidic, i.e. acidifiers are required.

Direct landing

Step-by-step instruction planting a hydrangea seedling in open ground in spring:

If you plant several seedlings, it is advisable that the distance between them be about 1 meter.

Video: planting a hydrangea seedling in tree-like spring

In principle, planting other types of hydrangea is not particularly different, except that many gardeners give different advice on mulching and pruning the shrub after planting.

Caring for hydrangea in open ground

Basic care for hydrangea includes the following: watering, fertilizing, pest and disease control, as well as pruning (spring and autumn) and shelter for the winter. Well, don’t forget about loosening the soil, which should be done at least 3 times a year to the depth of half the handle of a shovel (10 centimeters).

Watering

Hydrangea is a very moisture-loving shrub; it’s not for nothing that in Japan it is called “longing for water.” Therefore, in summer you should not let the soil under the plant dry out. To prevent this, be sure to mulch the plantings thoroughly and do not forget to water your flowers generously at least once a week. If the weather is hot and dry, then the frequency of watering should be doubled.

Top dressing

If you planted hydrangea in good fertile and fairly acidic soil, then, as a rule, it will not need fertilizing for the first 2-3 years. If you haven't fertilized the soil enough and haven't created optimal conditions for the development of shrubs, then you will understand this by small flowers or other “typical” signals ( yellow leaves) about the lack of essential microelements in the plant.

Typically, feeding hydrangeas throughout the year is carried out in 4 stages.

The first stage of fertilizing hydrangea is early spring. To form high-quality leaf mass, nitrogen fertilizers are required. And also some potassium and phosphorus.

The second stage of feeding hydrangea is during the formation of buds. During the budding process, the shrub requires fertilizers high in potassium and phosphorus.

The third stage of feeding hydrangeas occurs in the summer and flowering period. The flower again requires phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

The final stage of feeding occurs after the plant begins to bloom. This usually occurs at the end of August or beginning of September. After flowering, superphosphate and potassium sulfate should be added. Such feeding will help the plant accumulate strength in order to overwinter well and bloom profusely again next year.

Advice! You can purchase specialized fertilizers for hydrangeas. Fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas are also excellent.

Garter

If you decide to grow tree hydrangea, then due to the fact that this type of shrub is quite massive and has tall and long shoots, you should take care in advance that they do not accidentally break off by tying them to the supports in a timely manner (this can be done immediately after planting, at least , driving in pegs so as not to subsequently damage the root system).

Diseases and pests

In general, hydrangea, as a rule, is not susceptible to diseases and pests and quite successfully fights them exclusively on its own.

If your soil is too alkaline, then it is very common for hydrangeas to develop chlorosis (the leaves become light green, spots appear on them, and they begin to fall off, and the flower ovaries become smaller). The flower requires iron. You, of course, can dig nails or tin cans into the soil, but this can hardly be called modern solution Problems. Where would it be better to use inkstone, iron chelate or ferrous sulfate. As soon as you apply a solution prepared with one of the fertilizers, the bush will recover quite quickly.

You may often notice powdery mildew on hydrangea leaves. Spraying with a solution of Bordeaux mixture will help to cope with it.

You can fight other pests, such as aphids, with the help of Fitoverm or Actellik.

Pruning and shelter for the winter

If you do not prune your hydrangea in a timely manner, it will look very untidy. After 2-3 years it’s time to start forming a bush. As usual, optimal timing- this is early spring (March-April) or early autumn (September). In addition, each variety of shrub has its own specifics when pruning.

Tree hydrangea, like paniculate hydrangea, does not require reinforced shelter for the winter. It is enough to mulch it well. But the large-leaved plant is a much more delicate plant, so it is necessary to cover it.

Video: preparing hydrangea for winter - pruning and covering

How to adjust the color of hydrangea and get bluer or pink inflorescences

If you want to get blue shades of hydrangea flowers, then you need to give the plant as much aluminum as possible. For this purpose (to change color) high-moor peat is used, citric acid, aluminum-potassium or aluminum-ammonium alum. Another way would be to apply special fertilizer Pokon “Blue Hydrangea” or Bona Forte “Rainbow”. If you want to get pinker inflorescences, then you should use a mixture of fluff lime (or just lime), ash, in other words, pink flowers appear on more alkaline soils.

Interesting! If you begin to add acidifiers to the soil from only one side, then the flowers on the same bush will be pink, blue, and even lilac.

Unfortunately, initially white hydrangea It won't be possible to make it in color.

As in any delicate matter, moderation is needed here: you need to gradually add fertilizers to the soil to change the color of the inflorescences, otherwise you can destroy the roots of the shrub and it will die.

Thus, a beautiful hydrangea can decorate any country cottage area. And if you have already become a hostage to the various shapes and tones of a dizzying beauty, you should definitely set a course for impeccably correctly following the tips and recommendations for buying a seedling, planting and caring for it.

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